Thanksgiving Weekend Live Music Leftovers...

November 29, 2013 - Jim Price

If you need to cut the rug or get your groove on to shed some of those newly-acquired turkey pounds, the remainder of this Thanksgiving holiday weekend has plenty of live music options to offer.

Among the highlights on area stages this weekend and upcoming week include the return of popular Punxsutawney-based classic rockers Down To The Wire to an Altoona stage for the first time in more than five years. The group will return to the 4D’s Lounge, where they were regular performers for a good part of the 1990s and early 2000s. Down to the Wire will perform ‘70s and ‘80s-era classic rock favorites from Journey, Boston, Head East, Kansas and more.

If disco is your preferred flavor, Aldo’s (transforming into McGarvey’s Bar & Grill) will host three popular area hard-rocking bands trying their hand at performing under a disco ball on Saturday night. Lies, Inc., Railroad City Murder Machines and Xs For Eyes will provide the entertainment (and maybe sport disco attire) during the Disco Night event. Proceeds from the $5 admission will benefit cancer research.

The Bedford area music scene and community will remember popular bandleader Dick Smith on Saturday night, when the Bedford Elks Lodge hosts the annual Countdowns Reunion starting at 8 p.m. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the 2003 passing of Smith after a battle with cancer. Smith fronted the popular group Dick & the Countdowns through the 1960s and 1970s. The group served as the launching point for a number of musicians’ careers, including Felix & the Hurricanes bassist/singer Jeff Clapper. Clapper and the Hurricanes will be a part of the show, as well as a reunion of one of Clapper’s former groups, The Catch. And the surviving Countdowns will also perform a reunion set.

For fans of percussion and lots of it, St. Francis University’s JFK Auditorium will be the place to be on Monday evening, when the St. Francis University World Drumming Ensemble will present their annual fall concert starting at 7 p.m. Directed by former Rusted Root drummer and St. Francis music instructor Jim Donovan, the Ensemble will present an hour-long performance of drum songs and dance, showcasing various selections from west African nations, native American numbers and more. Joining the drummers will be special guest dancer Sogbety Diomande from the Ivory Coast. Admission to the concert is free.

Area favorites and rising bands and performers populate the stages, so support live music this weekend and upcoming week! And if you plan to celebrate heavily while doing so, please designate a driver or call a cab!

Here is a full listing for live music on area stages this weekend and the coming week:

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Blog Photos

Lily Taylor of Lies, Inc., performing during the Halos & Harlots festival at Aldo's in September. Lies, Inc. is one of three bands taking part in Disco Night at Aldo's this Saturday night.

C'Jay Castello of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band, during the Patched Together benefit concert earlier this month at Altoona's Bavarian Aid Society. Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band entertain at the Belmar Hotel on Saturday night.

A stage-eye view of the St. Francis University World Drumming Ensemble, during their Spring Concert in April at the university's JFK Auditorium. The World Drumming Ensemble's Fall Concert takes place in JFK Auditorium Monday night.

Ganister, during a September performance at Magoo's in Cresson. Ganister returns to Magoo's on Saturday night.